Irradiated blends of polyethylene and neoprene rubber

Abstract

Blends are described comprising polyethylene and neoprene rubber irradiated with ionizing radiation.

We claim: 
     
       1. A composition comprising a blend of about 10-75 parts by weight of crystalline polyethylene, and, correspondingly, about 90-25 parts by weight of neoprene rubber wherein the composition is irradiated with an ionizing radiation dose of about 1 to 15 M Rads. 
     
     
       2. The composition of claim 1 which comprises about 20-60 parts by weight of crystalline polyethylene, and, correspondingly, about 80-40 parts by weight of neoprene rubber wherein the radiation dose is about 3 to about 12 M Rads. 
     
     
       3. The composition of claim 2 which is prepared by directing a high energy electron beam toward the composition in the form of a sheet having a thickness of about 0.1-2 centimeters for the time necessary to receive the desired dosage. 
     
     
       4. The composition of claim 3 containing a radiation cross-linking promotor. 
     
     
       5. The composition of claim 4 in which the thickness of the sheet is about 1-5 millimeters. 
     
     
       6. The composition of claim 5 in which the neoprene rubber is in the form of discrete dispersed particles and the composition is processable as a thermoplastic. 
     
     
       7. The composition of claim 6 which comprises about 20-45 parts by weight of crystalline polyethylene, and, correspondingly, about 80-55 parts by weight of neoprene rubber and which is elastomeric. 
     
     
       8. The composition of claim 7 in which the neoprene rubber particles are of a size of about 50 microns number average or less. 
     
     
       9. The composition of claim 8 in which the neoprene rubber particle size is about 0.1 to 10 microns number average. 
     
     
       10. An elastoplastic composition comprising a blend of crystalline polyethylene, in an amount sufficient to impart thermoplasticity to the composition, and neoprene rubber in the form of dispersed particles of a size small enough to maintain thermoplasticity of the composition and which rubber is present in an amount sufficient to impart rubberlike elasticity to the composition wherein the composition is irradiated with an ionizing radiation dose of about 1 to 15 M Rads. 
     
     
       11. The composition of claim 10 comprising about 20 to about 45 parts by weight of crystalline polyethylene, and, correspondingly, about 80 to about 55 parts by weight of neoprene rubber wherein the radiation dose is about 3 to about 12 M Rads. 
     
     
       12. The composition of claim 11 which is prepared by directing a high energy electron beam toward the composition in the form of a sheet having a thickness of about 0.1-2 centimeters for the time necessary to receive the desired dosage. 
     
     
       13. The composition of claim 12 in which the thickness of the sheet is about 1-5 millimeters and the neoprene rubber particles are of a size of about 50 microns number average or less. 
     
     
       14. The composition of claim 13 containing a radiation cross-linking promotor.